12 May 2014 - one flock one shepherd

12 May 2014 - one flock one shepherd

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Jesus wants to use us to invite these other sheep to be part of his flock.  We know that we should be open to this.  But we are disillusioned.  There are a million roadblocks in the way.  The Greek speaking peoples of the time have their own traditions of philosophy and science and they look down with disdain on the Jewish people.  What does the story of this people have to do with them?  The message of Jesus seems even more incredible still.  Aren't they too well cultured for such things?  It begins to sound familiar.

Peter probably would prefer to keep to the sheep who are of the flock already and ignore the Gentiles who are not.  It would be more comfortable for him that way.  There would be less opportunity for scandal if he does not mix with a people whose ways his fellow Jews consider undesirable and unclean.  Listen to Peter's discomfort:

I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’
But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir,
because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
Yet Jesus needs Peter to understand that these are also among the sheep for whom he lays down his life.  Jesus loves all of his sheep, whether they are currently part of the fold or whether they are lost and wandering.  He lays down his life for all of us.  He is unwilling to let anything get between his sheep and himself.  He is the good shepherd and wants all of us to hear his voice and to know him and be shepherded by him.  Peter can't work like the hired man, where concern for his own well-being dominates.  He must leave that comfort behind in order for Jesus as he truly desires. 

How do we overcome this reluctance to let God use us?  How do we overcome our lack of trust in him?  How do we give ourselves completely to his plan?  We know that the whole world is longing for him just as "the hind longs for the running waters".  He wants to satisfy the world with the water of life.  The water that he wants to give is the Holy Spirit.  And we must be open to him ourselves.  First, we must listen as he directs us.  Jesus himself promises that we can recognize his voice.

The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.

We are often too discriminating.  We are quick to assume that people won't accept what we have to say.  But sometimes it is our taste that is too discriminating.  Sometimes situations are just too unseemly for us.  Our concern for how we are seen be others take precedence over our concern for others.  Let us hear the Spirit speak.  These words can empower us, if we pray them, to overcome all discrimination which keeps him from using us to the full.

It is this same Spirit that he longs to give to the whole world.  He makes a visible and life changing difference that is even apparent to onlookers. 

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
‘John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

There is always more of the Holy Spirit to be received.  He is a gift always waiting to be fanned into flames in our hearts.  As we move toward Pentecost let us open ourselves to his transforming power within.

Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!